Uncertain times call for alternative action -- Alternative Christmas gift cards feed those who are uncertain about their next meal

National Advance hunger-relief ministry unveils its 2009 alternative Christmas Gift Card


So much is uncertain these days: Domestic and world economy, peace among nations, home ownership, jobs, health care … and for nearly 40 million Americans, their next meal.


Alternative Christmas gifts are a sure way to share the true message and meaning of Christmas with those being honored and those who are in need.

People looking for alternative Christmas gifts that do good for others will feed the hungry when they make honor donations to the Society of St. Andrew (Advance #801600), a national, grassroots hunger-relief ministry. For a minimum donation of $12 in honor of a family member or friend, you can provide about 800 servings of fresh, nutritious food to the hungry. Your gift donation will be announced with the Society of St. Andrew’s (SoSA) one-of-a-kind alternative Christmas Gift Donation Card, and you will also receive the card as a thank you and confirmation of how many honor gifts you make.

This year’s card is the fifteenth in a series designed exclusively for SoSA by Virginia liturgical artist Annis McCabe. The full-color, 5 inch by 7 inch card features original art on front and back. Inside is an original, inspirational verse and scripture passages reminding us of the abundance that God has provided to all through the birth of Jesus Christ. This unique card announces your generous gift to feed the hungry in the name of your honorees.

Through their fresh food rescue programs – Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, Harvest of Hope, and Hunger Relief Advocate Initiative – the Society of St. Andrew saves perfectly good, excess produce that will go to waste only because it is less than perfect in appearance. This food is then donated to critical feeding agencies across the country.

“The popularity of this meaningful and relevant alternative Christmas gift program continues to grow,” said Carol Breitinger, communications director for the Society of St. Andrew, “providing more and more servings of fresh food to the hungry each year. Last year over $111,000 was raised, providing seven million servings of food nationwide! This year the need is greater than ever.
“This alternative Christmas gift is perfect for the person who has everything and a super stocking stuffer, too,” offered Breitinger. “No other gift can do so much for so many for so little! And you can finish your gift shopping and greeting card lists in just a few minutes while feeding thousands of hungry Americans.”
Individuals can order SoSA’s Christmas Gift Donation Cards by mail, phone, fax, or online: 800-333-4597; fax at 434-299-5949; email to card@endhunger.org; online at www.endhunger.org/card. SoSA will send the cards and envelopes to the donor to personalize and mail or they will send them on the donor’s behalf to the recipient in time for Christmas. The minimum gift donation for each card is $12. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
SoSA also has available order flier and church bulletin insert masters in color and black and white. To receive these digital files call or email Carol Breitinger at 800-333-4597 or mailto:sosapr@endhunger.org
For more information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief ministry or Christmas Gift Donation Cards call 800-333-4597, email sosainfo@endhunger.org or go to SoSA’s website at http://www.endhunger.org/.